Lock device for railway track switches and the like



Aug. 1, 1950 H. L. BONE ETAL 2,517,280

LOCK DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRACK SWITCHES AND THE: LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 194? 5 Sheets-Sheet l W? 2 1M605 2 f r .2

5M2 WL TPwcfi Z IN V EN TORS Hehfier 30 26; 6901?? L 7502,06? 5 mafia Wloym .frz 191 I THEIR ZTTOHIVFY Aug. 1, 1950 BONE 2,517,280

LOCK DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRACK SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 T9 APPLY PAD 06K IN V EN TORS K6 1166 12 3000, ry l. 72 122;?[9

(and 17b 1 I logalz J)? Aug. 1, 1950 H. BONE ET AL LOCK DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRACK SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 MUN NWN fig 3 EN 7// Aug; 1, 1950 BONE ETAL 2,517,280

LOCK DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRACK SWITCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 v INVENTORS Hpbefifl 50120, ryceljmpfe M BY 7 191712 :ZFTOHNEY i 'atenteci Aug. 1, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK DEVICE FOR RAILWAY TRACK SWITCHES AND THE ILIKE' tion of Pennsylvania Application January 9, 1947, Serial No. 721,028

21 Claims.

Our invention relates to lock devices for railway track switches, derails and like apparatus.

In railway signaling and traffic controlling systems, outlying manually operable track switches, derails, etc., are locked against operation by means of padlocks which may be opened by keys carried by certain selected railway personnel, thereby providing protection against operation of these devicesby unauthorized persons. Inaddition, it is often necessary to supplement the padlock control by means which will permit authorized persons provided with keys for opening the padlocks, tooperate a switch, derail, etc., only when conditions are proper for such operation. This supplemental control is imposed by a lock device arranged to permit movement of the switch. operating lever only when the lock device is openatedv by either or both manual control established by a swit'chman in the field or an operator of acentralized traiiic control system or remote control system, and automatic control established. by

track circuits, positions of signals, etc. a block device of this type is shown in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,126,834, granted February 2', 1915. to W. P. Neubert et al., and a modification of this device adaptedto lock the operating lever in both its normal and reverse positions is shownin Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,387,- 115, granted October 16, 1945 to HerbertL. Bone.

In some cases it is desirable to lock the two track switches at the opposite ends of a crossover by means of a separate stand disposed between the rails of the crossover. The center stand has a lever operatively connected with the operating mechanisms of the two track switches for locking those mechanisms against operation when the lever is in its normal or locking position, and for unlocking the two switch mechan isms to permit operation of the associated switch points when the lever is operated to its reverse or unlocking position. A switch operating mechanism adapted for control by a center stand is shown, for example, in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,184,870, granted December 26, 1939 to Herbert- L. Bone and Kenneth J. J. Mc-

Gowan, and in the arrangement shown in this patent the center lock stand is arranged for padlock control only.

An object of our invention is to provide novel and improved forms of lock devices adapted for use with a center lock stand for supplementing the usual padlock control.

Another object is to provide novel and improved lock devices arranged for disposition between the rails of a crossover or other stretch of railway track.

Another object of our invention is to provide noveland improved lock devices incorporating means for indicating the condition of locking imposed by such devices.

Another object is to provide lock devices incorporating. novel and improved means which may be utilized to shunt track circuits.

Another object is to provide novel and improved lock. devices adapted for disposition between track rails and arranged to lock the operating lever of a stand in both its normal and reverse positions.

Another object is to provide lock devices incorporating novel and improved means for preventingvibrational disturbances of the operating elements which impose the looking on the operating lever governed by such devices.

Another object is to provide lock devices incorporating novel and improved means for preventing vibrational disturbances of the lock means when the operating lever is in its reverse position.

Another object of our invention is to provide novel and improved forms of lock devices of the type mentioned.

In accordance with our invention, lock devices are provided for location between the running rails of a crossover or other stretch of railway track. and are arranged. to provide the necessary clearances between such devices and vehicles operating on the rails. The lock devices include a locking. rod: biased to an intermediate position and operable. between two extreme positions with locking means being provided for preventing operation of the locking rod from its intermediate position to one of the two extreme positions unless an external control is established to nullify such. prevention. The operating rod is utilized to control the lever latch of the lock device, to control indicating means for indicating the condition of locking imposed by such devices, and to control an interlock between theoperating rod and certain functions governed thereby so as to govern an external control.

We shall described several forms of lock devices embodying our invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a di agrammati'c view illustrating a lock device er bodying our invention applied to a center stand of a crossover. Figs. 2 and 3 are top and side elevation views, respectively, showing in more detail the association ota lock device embodying our invention to a center stand. Fig. 4 is a top View of the lock device illustrated in Fig. 2, with the cover and indication means removed in order better to illustrate the working elements of the device. Fig. '5 ifsi'a side view partially in section, of the device shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional end view taken substantially on the line VI-VI of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a partial view showing the relationship of the contact fingers carried on insulating block 68. Fig. 8 is a view illustrating the relationship of contact fingers l4 and driving member l6. Fig. 9 is a view-showing details of construction of contact operating lever 84. Fig. 10 is a view looking into window I It of cover 23. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view illustrating a modified form of cam 3! shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 12 is a partial view showing a modification of the device illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 13 is a sectional end view taken on the lines XIII-XIII of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing a typical application of a lock device illustrated in Fig. 12. In each of the several views, similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts.

Referring first to Fig. 1, thereference characters WI and W 2 designate track switches located respectively at the opposit'e ends of a crossover connecting tracks l and 2. The reference characters SM! and SMZ designate manually'operable switch operating'mechanisms provided for track switches wt and W2; respectively, and each having a hand throw lever!!! operable between two extreme positions for operating the points of the associated switch between corresponding extreme positions. The mechanisms SM are of the type such as that shown in the previously mentioned Bone et al. Patent No. 2,184,870, having a locking mechanism controllable'from an external point by a mechanical-connection such as a pipeconnection H. The reference character CS designates a center stand" having 'a throw lever l2 for operating the m'echanical'pipe connections ll. Lever I2 is operable between two extreme positions mom of which the mechanical'pipe' connections M will actuate the mechanisms SM against operation by the respective throw rods H1, and in the other extreme position of leverlZ the pipe connections H will be actuated to' unlock the mechanisms SM'to permit operation of the points of each track switch W in response to the operation of the associated throw lever ill. As is customary, the mechanism's SM'incorporate circuit controllers "which are controlled in part by the locking mechanisms so that certain contacts utilized-in the control of external circuits governing, for example, signals controlling trafiic over the switches, are operated to complete such circuits only when the mechanisms SM are locked against operation by the mechanical'pip'e connections I! and the cooperating locking mechanism of the switch mechanisms SM. The control of the circuit controller of mechanisms SM in this manner by the pipe connections If is clearly described in the aforementioned Bone et al. Patent No. 2,18%,8'70.v

In certain applications, center stand CS is located, as shown, between the rails of the crossover substantially equidistant from the track switches W! and W2. This center-of-track'location of stand CS assists in enforcing certain predetermined sequen'ces'of operation of stand lever l2 and switch mechanism levers it]. In prior practice, as exemplified by the Bone et al. Patent No. 2,184,870, stand CS at ac enter-of track location is provided only with padlock control so that operation of lever l2 is restricted to the class of -tions are proper for such operation.

personnel provided with keys for opening the padlock. In accordance with our invention we provide a lock device WL illustrated in Fig. 1 adapted for association with lever l2 to thereby supplement the prior art padlock control of the center stand by a control which is effective to permit operation of stand CS only when condi- As previously mentioned, operation of lever i2 is per mitted by the lock device WL when the latter is controlled by either or both manual control effected by a trainman in the field or an operator of a centralized trafiic or remote control system, and automatic control imposed by track circuits, positions of signals, etc.

The operative association of lock device WL' and stand CS is shown in more detail in Figs. 2 and 3. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the stand CS comprises a base member l3 suitably fastened, as by bolts, to a support plate l4 and ties 15. Member l3 journals a shaft 86 provided on one end with a crank it connected by a short section of pipe Ila to a lug 53 carried on mechanical pipe connection l l previously mentioned. The other end of shaft i6 preferably is squared to engage a correspondingly shaped opening in throw lever I2. A crank arm l9 bolted to lever l2 carries a stud 25) upon which is pivoted an adjustable lever lock rod 25 hereinafter referred to. Lever 12 of stand OS has a normal position in which it is illustrated and in which position crank ll operates pipe H to cause the switch operating mechanisms SM to assume their locked positions in which operation of throw rods It is prevented.

Lever i2 is operable through an angular movement of substantially to a reverse position in which crank I7 operates pipe H to unlock the switch mechanisms SM to permit operation of the throw rods ll}. Lever l2 as shown is locked in its normal position by lock device WL which is suitably attached, as by bolts 22a and dowels (not shown) to supporting plate is and the ties.

The details of construction of lock device WL embodying our invention are shown in detail in ,5 Figs. 4, 5, and 6. Referring to those figures, the

lock device'WL comprises a housing 22 enclosed at its upper end by a hinged cover 23 through which access to the interior of the housing may be obtained. Housing 22 is provided at its forward side with an integral extension 2t (see Fig. 6) formed at its outer end with an upturned leg 25 and with spaced vertical standards 26 which together with leg 25 form a jaw for receiving. lever l 2 of stand CS when and only when the lever is in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower portions of standards 26 support a pivot pin 2! on which is pivotally mounted a lever latch 28 movable between a padlocked position, illustrated in Fig. 6, through an intermediate latching position to an unlatched position. In both the padlocked and intermediate positions of the lever latch, the latch projects into the upper end of the jaw in such a manner as to prevent movement of lever l2 past the latch into or out of the jaw, and in the unlatched position, latch 28 is withdrawn from the jaw to permit such movement of the lever. In the padlocked position of latch 28 a hasp lug 29 provided on leg 25 projects through opening 30 of latch 28 (see Fig. 6) and is provided with an eye 29a through which the bail of a padlock 6.4 may be inserted to lock latch 28 in its padlocked position. Formed integrally with latch 28 is a treadle 3l which as shown in Fig. 4 preferably bears on its upper side a legend Lift to apply padlock, while a bifurcated crank arm 32- also is formed integrally onlatchZB and is provided at its outer ends with slotted openings 33 which engage a pin 34 carried on the outer-end of a locking rod 35 mounted for lateral sliding movement in an opening 35 in the forward side wall of housing 22.

The inner end of rod 35 which projects into housing 22 is formed of reduced diameter to provide a shoulder 42 on the rod, and the extreme inner end is threaded into a cam nut 3! slidably mounted in an opening provided in a ledge 38 formed integrally with housing 22. Sleeved collars 39 and 43 and a coil spring 4[ are slipped over the reduced portion of rod 35 before attaching nut 31, with spring 4! disposed be-- tween the inner faces of the collars.- Whenrod 35* is in its padlocked position illustrated in Fig. 6', spring 4| is provided with sufiicient initial compression so that collar 39 is urged constantly by spring 4-! into engagement with shoulder 4-2 of rod 35 while the other collar 40 isforced by spring 4i into engagement with a side of ledgeparts are so proportioned that when collars 38 and 40 are in the position in which they are illustrated, and rod 35 is freed for movement by removal of the bail of the padlock from eye 23a of hasp 23, the collars 33 and 43 will be driven apart by spring 4 1 until collar 39 will just touch the adjacent end wall ofhousing in which rod is mounted, in which event rod 35 will be moved to the right (as viewed in Fig. 6) so as to move cam nut 3! to the position where it just touches collar 4%. In this position, the collars 3i?- and 46 will respectivel engage the confronting surfaces of shoulder 42. and cam nut 3'! provided on rod 35. Nut 31 is threaded on rod 35 to a position selected so that when collars 39 and 4c are in contact with the respective confronting surfaces of shoulder 42 and nut 31', the collars and 48? also respectively engage the inner face of the front wall of housing 22, and the side of ledge 38, so that the front wall and ledge respectively constitute stops for collars 39 and 45. It will be apparent, therefore, that spring 4| acts through collars 33 and 40 and the cooperating confronting surfaces on rod 35 and stops, to bias that rod to a position, hereinafter referred to as an intermediate biased position, wherein collar 39' in' contact with shoulder 42 just touches the wall of. housing 22 and collar 48 in contact with put 3? just touches the side of ledge 38. In this biased intermediate position of the rod 35, the lever latch 28 is rotated in a clockwise direction. (as viewed. in Fig. 6) about its pivot 21 to its intermediate latching position where it projects intothe jaw of the lock device so as to prevent movement of leverv 12. past the latch into or out of the jaw.

The rod 35. may be moved from its intermediate biased position toward the right (as viewed in Fig.. 6) to an unlatched position provided that a locking means hereinafter described is in its condition which permits this movement of the rod 35. When the rod 35 is. in its unlatching positiom the. lever latch 28 is rotated further in a clockwise direction about pivot 21 to its corresponding unlatched position in which it is withdrawn from the jaw to-permit movement of the; lever l2 past the latch 28 into or out of the jaw; The. locking means has a first and a sec'- and position, in the latter of which it permits movement of the rod 35 from its biased intermediate position to its unlatched position. The locking means comprises a locking dog 45 and means, operated by either or both manual control established by a trainman in the field or an. operator of a centralized traffic or remote control system, and automatic control established by track circuits, position of signals, etc., effective to operate the locking dog from its locking position to an unlocking position in which it permits movement of the rod 35 to its unlatching position.

The operating means for the locking dog 45 may, as shown in Fig. 5, be in the form in which an electromagnet operates the locking dog through the medium of a connection between the dog and the armature of the electromagnet. The locking dog 45 is carried on the end of a bar 46, the other end of which bar is secured to one arm of an angle lever 41 pivotally supported on pivot pins 481 mounted in depending lugs 49 provided on a supporting strap 55 secured by screws 5| to amagnet bracket 52 fastened by bolts 53 to housing 22. The other arm of angle lever 4i carries an. armature 54 adapted to be attracted by an electromagnet 55 mounted in bracket 52. In the condition of. the parts shown in the drawing, magnet 55 is deenergized and dog 45 is disposed in the path of movement of collar 43 carried on rod 35 to confine that collar between dog 45 and the side or" ledge 38 and thereby prevent movement of that collar to the right (as viewed in Fig. 6). Magnet 55 when energized is effective to attract armature 54 to lift dog 45 out of the path of movement of collar 40, provided that a hold-down spring 94 and depressor 9'! hereinafter referred to, are lifted clear of arm 46. Dog 45 when lifted out of the path of collar 45, permits rod 35 to be moved to the right to its un-- latching position, as will be made clear hereinafter. Contacts comprising fixed and movable contact fingers (not shown in detail) mounted on a terminal block 56 secured by screws 5'! to bracket 52 may be operated by armature 54 through an insulating driving member 58 connected by a pin 59 to bar 46 and suitably connected' to the movable contact fingers as for e.:- ample in a manner corresponding to that shown in Fig. 8 and explained hereinafter, the connection being such that an up and down move ment of, pin 59 effected by movement of bar 46 results in a corresponding movement of the associated movable contact fingers to suitably operate circuit controlling contacts carried by block 56; The provision of block 56 carrying contacts for'operation by bar 46 is an optional feature and may be dispensed with if desired.

Housing 22 is provided with an opening in its end adjacent to armature 54, and housing member Elia issuitably secured to housing 22 in alignment with opening Ell. Housing the, contains a locking mechanism which may take any desired form such as a locking mechanism of the Yale type, or as shown a mechanism operable by a switchmans key. The arrangement is such that when a proper key is inserted into the mechanism, it may be rotated in the lock chamber to rotate an actuating member driven by the lock mechanism and projecting into housing 22 The actuating member has a cammed surface 53 which cooperates with mating cammed surface G4 provided on a ea pendingspring 35 supported from supporting strip- 5eand drives that spring toward armature 54 sothat an insulating bead 3'8 carried onispring is forced into engagement with armature 54 and drives it to the pole pieces of electromagnet 55, thereby rotating arm 46 to lift dog 45' out of engagement with collar 40. Spring 65 will be released and springs back clear of armature 54, as shown in Fig. 5, when the key is removed from the locking mechanism. As is customary, housing 69 of the lock release is preferably enclosed by a hinged cover 6'! biased by ,a spring 61a to cover the locking mechanism of the release and suitably sealed. The provision of the locking mechanism BI also is an optional feature and may be dispensed with, in which case opening 60 in housing 22 may be suitably enclosed by a circular blank bolted to the housing.

An insulating terminal block 68 fastened by screws 69 to the upturned leg of a contact sup-.

able contact finger I4 riveted to each terminal I2 and a fixed contact finger I5 riveted to each terminal I3 (see Fig. 7) the fingers I4 and i5 cooperating in pairs to provide mating contacts. Each movable contact finger T4 is operatively connected with an insulated driving member IS in any suitable manner, such as that shown in Fig. 8. Referring now to the latter figure, each movable finger I4 is provided with a longitudinal slotted opening 'I'I through which driving member I6 may be inserted. ,The member it is provided with slotted indentations 13 at spaced points, so that when inserted into slots ll of fingers I4, member 76 may be rotated 90 so as to project late-rally across fingers I4 with the fingers disposed in the slotted indentations of member I6. Member I6 is guided at its upper end for up and down movement in a slot guide I9 fastened by screws 89 to block 53 (see Fig. 5) and carries a laterally projecting pin SI. Block I38 and supporting bracket '19 have aligned openings 82 (see Fig. '7) through which projects an arm 83 of a pivoted operating member 84, the arm being bifurcated at its end and provided with an opening 85 in which is engaged pin 8| of driving member I6.

OperaHng member 84, as can best be seen in Fig. 9, is provided with integrally formed trunnions 89; with contact operating arm 83 formed on lever 84 on one side of trunnions 86; with a depending lug 8?; with a cam arm 89 projecting to the other side of trunnions 86 and carrying at its outer end a cam follower 89 secured to the arm as by studs 99; and with another arm 9| also projecting to the other side of trunnions 86 and to which is secured by tap bolts 92 a depressor bracket 93. A depressor spring 94 disposed for axial alignment with bracket 93, and a laterally projecting member 95, are attached to the outer end of bracket 93 by means of screws 96 passing through bracket 93 and threaded into suitable openings provided in a depressor 9! disposed in axial alignment with bracket 93.

Operating member 84 as shown in Fig. 4 is pivotally supported by its trunnions 85 which are journaled respectively in a bushing 98 provided in an opening 99 formed in a boss I90 on the rear sidewall of housing 22, and in a trunnion screw H35 threaded through an opening H32 in the forward sidewall of housing 22 and secured by a nut I95. Lug 81 on operating member 84 cooperates with a coil spring I93 confined between the lug and a boss I04 formed on housing g2 bias member 84 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 5) about its points of pivotal support, and in this biased clockwise position.

gagement with the top of lever 49 (see Fig. 5) v carrying dog 45. Depressor 9'! is disposed above "and just clear of lever 46 and the parts are so proportioned that spring 94 holds down lever 46 with suflicient force to overcome any tendency of the lever to raise dog 45 out of engagement with collar 49, as for example due to energiza-.

tion of magnet 55, or in responsev to vibrational disturbances of the mechanism such as would be occasioned by passing trains, etc. Pin BI of driving member I6 is positioned by arm 83 of member 84 so that the contacts carried by block 68 assume the positions in which they are shown imposed by the device.

in Fig. 7.

The lock device WL also includes indicator means for indicating the condition of locking The indicator means is capable of displaying one or another of a plurality of legends visible through a window IIil in an opening III provided in theforward edge of cover 23 (see Figs. 5 and 6) and preferably the legends are of the type shown in Fig. 10. Located behind the windowand suitably supported from housing 22 is a shield II2 with a slot H3 which limits the displa of the legend to thatproper under the particular circumstances. The legends are carried on an arcuate member I I4 carried by a rod H5 forming a part of or rigidly secured to a member H6 pivotally supported on a pin III journaled in the sidewalls of a U-shaped member II8 secured by screws H9 to a plate I20 fastened by bolts Iil to a projecting boss on the forward sidewall of housing 22.- Member H4 is provided with a boss I22 engageable by member secured to depressor bracket it (see Fig. 9). Member He also is provided with a weight arm I24 which projects on the opposite, side. of pin II I from rod H5 to bias that rod and arcuate with depressor bracket 53 rotated to its biased.

clockwise position as illustrated in Fig. 5, member 95 carried by bracket 93 engages boss I22 to cause arcuate member II4 to be rotated to one extreme position in which the legend Pad.-

locked is positioned immediately below slot H3 in shield II2 so as to be visible through window I I0. When arm 95 carried by bracket 93 is lifted away from the position shown in Fig. 6 in a man ner to be made clear hereinafter, weight arm I24 causes member H6 to rotate in a countercloek wise direction as viewed in Fig. 6 sothat arcuate member H4 is rotated to another extreme position in which the legend Locked is disposed beneath slot II3 to be visible through window Ilil.

With the parts of Fig. 6 in the condition just explained, depending screw I25 carried by weight arm I24 is moved to a position in which it just clears dog 45. and the screwis adjusted so that when dog 45 is actuated out of the path of collar 46 by the energization of magnet 55, the dog will engage screw I25 to rotate member I in a clockwise direction to an intermediate position in which which the legend Unlocked is positioned beneath slot H3 for view through window I it. Preferably, as shown, the shield M2 functions as a stop for arcuate member H? in each or" its two extreme positions and therefore acts to assist in determining such extreme positions of mem H4.

The operation of the apparatus as a whole is as follows: When lever E2 of center stand is locked by device WL in the manner indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the parts of the lock device willv occupy the positions in which they :are shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. That is to say, the hail of padlock 4 is inserted into eye 290. or been formed on leg to lock lever latch 28 in its padloched position in opposition to the bias of spring fill,- dog 45 is disposed in the path of travel oi collar 5st carried b rod and member M is rotated to its extreme clockwise position by the bias of spring so that depressor spring rides on arm 46, depressor H is located above a1 :1 st clears that arm, a oer of member 1 IE to rotate arouate member I it to its one extreme position in which the legend Padlocked is visible through window i t3.

When it is desired to reverse lever l2, treadle '31 is first lit-ted upwardly in order to release the force of latch 23 on the bail of the padlock, and the bail is then removed from eye treadle 31 released. This permits spri g to move rod to the right '(as viewed in reaches its previously mentioned intermediate position wherein cam 11-1113 3'? engages the outer face of cel all and collar in contact with shoulder just touches the inner wall of housing Further movement of rod will be limited by locking dog #5 engaging the inner face of collar to to pr vent movement of that collar and. correspondingly prevent moveinent of cam nut 37 attached to red The restricted movement of rod toward the right at this time results in a correspo g movement of pin 3 at the outer end the rod to rotate latch T so that the latch is no about pivot pin withdrawn slightly from the and treadle 3! is lowered slightly, but in this particular position of the parts the latch is still positioned so as to be efiective to prevent movement of lever 12 into or out-oi the jaw of the locked device. Latch 28 will now occupy the previously mentioned inter-mediate latching position corresponding to the intermediate position of dition of rod 35, cam nut 3i lifts ca m follower 8%) to rotate member '84 counterclockwise viewed in Fig. 5) in opposition to the bias of spring Hi3. Depressor spring it is lifted out of engagement with arm it carrying locking dog wh pressor 9'! likewise is lifted out of its position closely adjacent to arm lit.

carried by depressor bracket 93 is away from boss of member i and perm-its that member to rotate under the influence of weight arm 5% so as to rotate arcuate lid to its other extreme position in hich. the legend Locired visible through 'nclow N l. The pin 8! carried. in opening Gil on the extreme endof arm 83 of member 8 3 is moved downwardly as viewed in Fig. 5 and operates driving member it in the same direction to operate the movable contact fingers l t to open normally closed or close normally open contacts, as the case may ig. 6) until the rod at this time.-

In this con suitable purpose.

*be, carried by terminal board 68. One or more of the contacts of terminal board 68 may be used in the external control circuit by which it is intended that electromagnet 55 will be energized, and it is contemplated that such a control circuit may take any one of a number of forms well known to the art, such as the control circuit shown in Fig. 4 of Neubert et a1. Patent No. 1,125,834, or the circuits shown in Letters Patent oi the United States No. 2,367,723 granted on January 23, 1945 to H. A. Haine's. In such a circuit arrangement, a contact completed by movable finger M in engagement with fixed finger l5 wiliof course correspond to the loch operated contacts 4i:a4'l of the Neubert et al. patent and l-7 of the Hain-es patent. follows that when :a contact 'l-4l15 is established by movement of driving member 16 in the manner explained, and if conditions are proper for movement of lover I! to its unlocking position to permit operation of switches W by their associated switch operating mechanisms SM, that is, if the external control circuit for magnet is completed either manually by the operator of a control system-or automatically by devices such as track relays, signal control relays, etc., then magnetwill be energized. Assuming that magnet-551s energized, locking dog 45 will be operated out of the path 'of movement of collar 4!! carried on rod 235, and will actuate driving member .5 to operate the contacts carried by terminal block 56, which contacts may be used for any Dog '45 will also engage screw 1-235 carried by arm lid of member i-i-fi to rotate that member to the previously mentioned intermediate position in which the legend Unlocked is positioned beneath slot H3 of shield H2 to be visible through window I Ill. The display of this legend indicates that lock device WL is now in the condition for further operation to unlatch lever I2. Treadle 3| may now be depressed to rotate latch 28 about pin 2'5. Rotation of latch 2-23 results in movement to the right, as viewed in Fig. 6, of pin 34 carried on the outer end of rod 35 and causes cam nut 3-! to drive collar 40 to the right and compress spring 4 l., the other collar 36 in this case being restricted in movement by engaging the inner face of the front sidewall of housing 22. The depression of treadle 3! results in the movement of latch 28 out of the jaw of the lock device and beyond the path of movement of lever 12 so as to free that lever for operation through an angle of approximately to its reverse position previously mentioned.

Movement of lever l2 to its reverse position operates pipe .H through pipe connection Ha secured to crank l! of center stand CS and as previously mentioned when lever l2 reaches its .1111 reverse position the pipes Ii will actuate the locking mechanisms of switch mechanisms SM to permit operation of switches W by their associated throw levers ill. During the initial portion of the movement of lever [2 to its reverse position lever lock rod 21 will be actuated by crank 43 carried on lever 12 and will move behind a lug 43 formed on latch 28 to prevent return of latch 28 to its biased intermediate position under the influence of spring Al which is now compressed between the collars 39 and 40 and operates to bias rod 35 toward its previously mentioned intermediate position. The lever lock rod 2! is adjustable and is arranged to engage lug 53 of latch 23 before the bottom of lever I2 is operated clear of latch 28.

If desired, the lock device WL embodying our nvention may be provided with a tandem loci:

' l1 arrangement shown and claimedv in previously mentioned Bone Patent No. 2,387,115, in which case lever 12 may be locked in its reverse position through the medium of lock device WL, as well as through the usual padlock control customarily employed.

Assuming that look device WL is arranged as shown to lock lever I2 only in its normal position, the lever may be restored to its normal position and when it enters the jaw of lock device WL, lever lock rod 2| is withdrawn from engagement with lug 43 of latch 28, so that latch 28 is free to be operated to its intermediate latching position as soon as lever I2 is restored to its full normal position, in which event rod 55 will be operated by spring 4| to its biased intermediate position to rotate latch 28 about pin 21 to its corresponding intermediate position. As is customary in switch lock control circuits, the circuit for magnet 55 ordinarily will have been opened before lever I2 is restored to its normal position, consequently when rod 35 reaches its biased intermediate position, collar 49 will be in its normal position as shown in Fig. 6, dog 45 will drop beside the inner face of collar 48, and member H6 will again rotate to its other extreme position wherein the legend Locked will be displayed through window I I 0. Treadle 3| may now be grasped and lifted upwardly to swing latch 28 to the position illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein the bail of a padlock may be inserted in eye 29a of hasp 29, thereby restoring these parts to the normal padlock condition. Operation of latch 28 to its padlocked position results in driving rod 35 toward the left to the position illustrated in Fig. 6, to compress spring 4| between collars 39 and 4!] and to move cam 37! out of engagement with the cammed surface of follower 89, thereby allowing cam arm 88 to drop and permit member 84 to rotate under the bias of spring I93, to the position illustrated in Fig. 5. In such position of member 84, contacts operated by driving mernber i6 will assume the normal positions shown in Fig. 7, While member 95 carried by member 84 will engage boss I22 on rotatable member H6 to cause rotation of arcuate member l 54 so that the legend Padlocked is displayed through window H0, All of the parts of the switch lock device embodying our invention will therefore be restored to the normal condition illustrated in the drawings.

An inter-lock between pivoted operating member 84 and armature 54 of electromagnet 55 will be established through spring 94 carried on arm 9! of member 84, so that if magnet 55 remains energized when treadle 3! is lifted to restore latch 28 to its padlocked position, spring 94 will engage arm 46 and drive dog 45 down beside collar 49 of rod 35, thereby providing a forced drop feature for the locking dog to assure that dog 45 is in its locking position when latch 28 is moved to its padlocked position. The depressor 91 will function to assist spring 94 in this hold-down action if the spring should weaken, and will function in place of spring 94 if the spring should break. The depressor 97 also cooperates with spring 94 in the event that the parts of the lock should become deranged or out of adjustment so that if, when latch 28 is restored to its padlocked position, dog 45 does not clear collar 48 so as to be able to drop beside that collar, then arm 46 will engage both spring 94 and depressor 91 to prevent rotation of member 84 to its normal position when cam 31 disengages from follower 89, and as a result the contacts operated by arm 83 of. 211.3 lever 12. will remain in their operated position and will not be restored to their normal positions, illustrated in Fig. '7, while dog 45 Will permit weight arm i24 to rotate arcuate member l l4 slightly so that a part of both legends Unlocked and Padlocked will appear through window H0. This display with latch 28 restored to its padlocked position will indicate that the parts of the lock device have not restored to normal, and will call attention to the fact that correction of a fault in the lock device is required.

The lock device shown in Fig. 6 may be modified as illustrated in Fig. 11 to provide a holddown feature for locking dog 45 when the treadle Si is depressed to its unlocking position. This feature is desirable in those applications where the lock device is required to lock the hand throw the top of collar 44.

lever 52 in its reverse position only. In such an arrangement the lever in its normal position actuates lever lock rod 2| to hold treadle 3! in its depressed position against the restoring bias of spring 4! of rod 35, and since in this arrangement the hand throw lever is in its locked reverse position for only relatively short intervals of time, the lock device normally stands in a position wherein the dog 45 is subjected to vibrational disturbances and unless the dog is restrained from vibrating or rattling, the pivot pins 48 supporting armature 54 may be subject to excessive wear. This Wear of the pivot pins 48 may be avoided in such applications by substituting for cam nut 31 of Fig. 6 a cam nut 310. as shown in Fig. 11 provided with a cam surface arranged to permit cam arm 88 and follower 89 to drop slightly when rod 55 operates to its extreme right-hand position, as viewed in Fig. 6, so that depressor spring 94 rides on arm 45 to hold down arm 45 against vibrational movement. In this condition of the parts, the collar 40 is moved to the right to a position underneath dog 45 so that only a slight movement downwardly of spring 94 is necessary in order for the spring to force dog 45 into engagement with The contacts operated by driving member 16 are preferably provided with a small amount of overtravel so that the slight downward movement of cam arm 94 permitted by cam 31:; in the unlocked position of treadle 3i is not sufficient to alter the operation of the contacts operated by contact arm 83 of member 34 through driving member 15, hence the cam Lila of Fig. 11 permits dog 45 to be held down by depressor spring 94 in the unlocked position of the latch, while allowing the lever operated contacts carried by terminal board 68 to remain in the positions assumed by such contacts when member 84 is rotated by movement of rod 35 to its biased intermediate position following removal of the bail of the padlock from hasp 29.

The lock devices embodying our invention are arranged for emergency release operation effected through the medium of locking mechanism 6! provided for housing 59a attached to the switch lock casing adjacent to electromagnet 55. The emergency release feature may be used in case the external control circuit for magnet 55 does not becomecompleted to energize that magnet after rod 35 assumes its biased intermediate position following removal of the padlock from hasp 29. If with rod 35 and latch 28 in corresponding intermediate positions, it is desired to obtain an unlock of lever l2 and energization of magnet 55 can not be eifected through its external circuit, then emergency operation of the lock device'may be obtained by breaking the seal so that the cover 61 may be opened to insert a proper key in mecha '13 nism '61. lEtotationof the key permitted by'the tumblers of mechanism BI results in operation of actuating member 62 toactuate cam :54 carried on spring 65, with the result that head 66 .on

spring 65 is forced into engagement withtarmature154 anddrives thatarmature into the :pole pieces of electromagnet $155, thereby lifting arm .46 and operating dog 45 out of the'path of collar 40. This action permits treadle fiI .to :be .depressed to release lever In. -When actuating member 262 is restored :to its :normal .position as :illustrated in Fig.5 vby rotation of -'-the'.key :pre-

liminary to removing the key from mechanism .-$I, cam.64 will permit-spring 65rto operate .head

66 out ofengagement .ewith armature 54, and the parts of the emergency release will :assume the normal condition illustrated in Fig. .5.

The contact structure previously described in connection with Figs. '7, and .18may :be modified in accordance with our inventionasr'shown in Figs. 12 and 13 to provide astructure which may be used to apply a shuntz-acrossxthe track rails of the associated tracks, as indicated v diagrammatically in Fig. 14. In connection with the modified form of our invention shownin .12 and 13, it is contemplated that thecontact structure illustrated in these figures 'wiill' be substituted for-the contact structure shown :in 4

and 5, that housing '22 previously described will be modified slightly as :shown in .Fig. :13 to provide external contact lugs, that contact operating lever 84 previously described and shown in Fig. 9 will be modified slightly in a mannerexpl ained hereinaftenbut that'all other :parts of the lock device will be the same as previously described.

Referring now to "Figs. 12 and 13, the contact structure there shown'comprises an upright insulating terminalboard-I3B secured by' bolts I3I to housing 22. Board 13: isdisposed longitudinallyinthe housing and each-face of the board is provided withcontact terminals =l33-touwhich cooperating fixed and movable contact fingers I34 and I35, respectively, are riveted. As shown in Fig. 12, three such pairs of cooperating fixed and movable contactfingers are provided .on-the forward face of board 1'31), while a similar number ofpairs of contact fingers maybe provided on the rear face .of .the ihoarid, as indicated in 13. Contactdriving members I35 are provided .for

' each :face of board 139 and are guided at'the top for up and down movement in .aslotted guide I31 disposed between the top of board Hill .andbolts .I3I. :Each driving member I36comprises-two insulating strips I38 spaced apart byan-=insulating block I35 and sleeves 440. The block 'I39 issecured to the top of members I38 by rivets I4I,

while sleeves M9 are carried on rivets 142 located at spaced points along members I38. The sleeves Mil maybe located in pairs one on either side of a contact finger 135 so as to obtain a positive drive of that finger in both the up and down direction, or sing-1y *to provide a drive-in only one direction. The sleeves ME! provide a driving connection between member .436 and #the movable contact fingers 135 which are inserted between the two spaced strips I 33 adjacent to the sleeves M55. as is readily apparent from an inspection of Fig. 13. referably, themovable-fingers I35 are biased into engagement with the-mating fixed fingers I34 so as to close with an appreciable contact pressure.

Board ISO is slotted at its lower end topermit up and down movement of a driving pin 143 carried at the lower end of both =dr-iving members I [3.6. 'Thepin .I 43 visxrmeratecl by arms eBa -of pivoted opera-ting member 84,..the member 84 in the :case of :the apparatus of Figs. 12 and .13 being slightly modified to provide two contact operating arms, one disposed-on either side of lug B1, in place of the one contact arm 83 illustrated in Fig. 9. The arms 83aof operating member 84 :of Fig. 13am slotted to receive pin I43 and both ,arms83aoperate .in unison to drive contact opcratingmembers 13.6 up ordown, as the case may 136,110 effect a corresponding movement -.of the associated movable contactfingers ;I 35.

As shown in Fig. 13, the rear sidewall of .housing ;22 :is formed with an opening .144 through which .a plurality .of terminal lugs I45 may be inserted into the interior of the housing, the

opening :being disposed longitudinally in the rear sidewall of housing 2.2 to accommodate the plurality of lugs I495. The lugs I45 are separated -f-rom.=each other by insulating material, and are sandwiched between insulatingstrips M5 which are inserted between lugs I45 and the lips of opening .144. Bolts I .4! passing through the 'upper lip of opening 1.44 .and the insulating :material,

avoiding lugs '.!4,5,.a-re threaded into a plate I49 .to clamp the terminal lugs-and insulation tightly together to provide a weatherproof seal. The :innor ends of lugs .l filfi :whicjhproiect within housing 22 carry terminal screws I48 which enable circuit wires to be connected to the lugs I45, and it is contemplated that the other ends ofthese cireuitw'ires will be connected to the contact ter- "mina1s-I33 carried by board I130.

.As illustrated in Fig. 12, the contact fingers 435 are normally positioned against their bias away from'their mating fixed fingers I.-34 when the lock device is in its normal padlocked position. Operating member "84 will. operate to drive 'thefingers 4350f Fig. l2 downwardly, as viewed in that figure, into engagement with the mating fixed fingers 134 when the-lock device operates to its biased-intermediate position. in a manner corresponding to that hereinbefore described in detail-in connection with the description of the operation of the device shown in Figs. 4, 5, andG. The operation of the contact structure will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 12 and '13 and the foregoing description of the operation of "the lock device as a whole, and further detailed explanation is unnecessary, except that :it

should be noted that the'bias of contact fingers #I35 is in opposition to the bias of operating memher-84 and therefore may assist operation of memher .8 5 to its counterclockwise direction. Also, where a movable finger I35 is engaged bya pairof sleeves 44 3, the upper sleeve will drive that finger firmly into engagement with the mating fixed finger I34, thereby assuring establishmentof an 'intimateielectrical contact between such fingers.

In view of the positive mechanical drive of fingers .li35 into engagement with fingers I34, the

--resulting contact maybe utilized to establish a shunt path across.the tWo track rails of a stretch,

through which shunt path the track circuit-cur- :rent in the rails may be diverted from the track spection of Fig. 14. "positive 'drive of finger R35 to engage its mating fixed finger 534- may not be necessary, consequently such a contact can be operated by'means a derail, etc.

: vention.

15 shown in Fig. 12. As will-be apparent from Fig. 14, contact fingers E35 occupy their normal positions out of engagement with fingers l3 iwhen the lock device WL is in its padlocked condition, and fing'ers I35 are operated into engagement with'fin- 'gers 134 when lock device WL is in either its locked or unlocked condition previously described. A pair of fingers I34 are electrically connected to one rail of a stretchof' track, while a mating pair of fingers I35 are electrically connected to the-other rail, consequently when the fingers I34 and I35 are in engagement a low resistance path is established between the track rails, through which path may fiow'the'tra'ck circuit current which it is contemplated will be supplied to the track rails in series. If desired, some of the contacts on board I3ll-of Fig. 12 may be used for line'circuit control, as is obvious from an. in-

For such line circuit control,

'of only'a single sleeve 140 on member I38, the arrangement being similar to that shown for the upper contact finger I35 illustrated in Fig. 12. As

indicated in Fig. 14. the line circuit may be utilized in the control of the electromagnets 55 of the lock device, corresponding to the previously mentioned control of the electromagnets by the conin Fig. l. The application of our lock deviceto a switch mechanism will be obvious. Similarly, our

lock device may be applied to the throw lever of In applications to the throw rod of a switch mechanism or derail, our lock device may be mounted outside of the running'rails of the track in accordance with the customary practice. 1

Important advantages of lock devices embodying our invention reside in the provision of means for indicating the three conditions of locking provided by the devices, and in the provision of contacts operated by the locking mechanism for controlling either or both line and track circuits. Other advantages reside in the arrangement to provide a positive interlock between the circuit controlling contacts and the locking-dog, and in the arrangement of the parts which permit application of the holddown spring to the locking dog when the latch is moved to its unlocking posi tion. Another advantage results from the fact that our lock devices are readily adaptable for use with the tandem lock arrangement to look a throw lever in its reverse position as well as the normal position, while an important advantage of the lock devices embodying our invention results from the ability to locate the lock devices between the running rails of a track so that electrical locking may be imposed on throw rods located between such track rails.

. Although we have herein shown and described only a few forms of lock devices embodyingour.

invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of our in- Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

'1. In combination with a throw lever operable between two extreme positions and disposed between the rails of a track over which railway vehicles operate,'a lock device disposed between the track rails and having a jaw for receiving the throw lever in one of its said two extreme positions, said lock device providing adequate clearance between its parts and vehicles operating over said track, a latch for said lock device operable between a first and a second position, said latch in its said first position projecting into said jaw for preventing movement of said throw lever past said latch, said latch in said second position being withdrawn from said jaw, and controllable means operatively connected with said latch for preventing movement of said latch from its said first to its said second position unless said means is operated.

2. In combination with a crossover provided with manually operable switch throwing mechanisms for operating the track switches at the opposite ends thereof, and having disposed between the rails of said crossover a center stand including a throw lever operatively connected with said switch throwing mechanisms and operable between two extreme positions in one of which said throw lever locks said mechanisms against operation, a lock device disposed between the track rails and having a jaw for receiving the throw lever in one of its said two extreme positions, said lock device providing adequate clearance between its parts and vehicles operating over said crossover, a latch for said lock device operable between a first and asecond position, said latch in its said first position projecting into saidjaw for preventing movement of said throw lever past said latch, said latch in said second position being with drawn from said jaw, and controllable means operatively connected with said latch for preventing movement of said latch from its said first to its said second position unless said means is operated.

3. In combination with the throw lever of a center stand disposed between the rails of a crossover and operatively connected with switch throwing mechanisms at the opposite ends of said crossover for respectively locking and unlocking said mechanisms according as said throw leveris in one or another of two extreme positions, a lock device disposed between the rails of said crossover; said lock device providing for adequate clearance between its parts and vehicles operating over said crossover and comprising a jaw for receiving said throw lever in one of its said two positions, a latch movable between a first position and a second position, said latch in said first position projecting into said jaw for preventing movement of the throw lever past said latch, said latch in its said second position being withdrawn from said jaw, locking means having a first and a second condition in the latter of which movement of said latch from its said first to its said second position is arrested at an intermediate position, and means controlled in part by said latch in said intermediate position for operating said locking means to its said first condition for freely permitting movement of said latch past said intermediate position to its said second position.

4. In combination with the throw lever of a center stand disposed between the rails of a crossover and operatively connected with switch throwing mechanisms at the opposite ends of said crossover for respectively locking and unlocking said mechanisms according as said throw lever is in one or another of two extreme positions, a lock device disposed between the rails of said crossover; said lock device providing for adequate clearance between its parts and vehicles operating over said crossover and comprising a jaw for receiving said throw lever in one of its said two positions, a latch movable between a first posi tion and a second position, said latch in said first position projecting into said jaw for preventing movement of the throw lever past said latch, said latch in its said second position being withdrawn from said jaw, locking means having a first and a second condition in the latter of which movement of said latch from its said first to its said second position is arrested at an intermediate position, means controlled in part by said latch in said intermediate position for operating said locking means to its said first condition for freely permitting movement of said latch past said inter-- mediate position toits said second position, means for biasing said latchto its said intermediate position, and means operatively connected with said throw lever for retaining said latch in its said second position when said throw lever is out of said jaw.

5-. In combination with the throw lever of a center stand disposedbetween the rails of a crossover and and operatively connected with switch throwing mechanisms at the opposite ends of said crossover for respectively locking-andunloclrmg said mechanisms according as said throw lever is in one or another of two extreme positions, a lock device disposed between the rails of said crossover; said lock device providing for adequate clearance between its parts and vehicles operating over said crossover and comprising a jaw for receiving said throw lever in one of its said two positions, a latch movable between an intermediate and two extreme positions, said latch in said intermediate and one extreme position projecting into said jaw for preventing movement of the throw lever past said latch, and said latch in the other of its said extreme positions being withdrawn from said jaw, locking means having afirst and a second condition in the latter preventing movement of said latch from said intermediate position to said other extreme position while freely permitting movement of said latch between said intermediate position and said one extreme position, means for locking said latch in said one extreme position, and means operatively connecting said latch with said looking means for restricting said locking means to its said second condition when said latch occupies its said other extreme position and effective in said intermediate position of said latch to permit operation of said locking means to its said first condition.

6. In combination with .the throw lever of a center stand disposed'b'etween the rails of a crossover and operatively connected with switch throwing mechanisms at the opposite ends of said crossover for respectively locking and unlocking said mechanisms according as said. throw lever is in one or another of two extreme positions, a lock device disposed between the rails of said crossover; said lock device providing for adequate clearance between its parts and vehicles operating over said crossover and comprising a jaw for receiving said throw lever in one of its said two positions, a latch movable between an intermediate and two extreme positions, said latch in said intermediate and'one extreme, position projecting into said jaw for preventing movement of the throw lever past said latch, and said latch in the other of its said extreme positions being withdrawn from said jaw, means operatively connected with said latch for biasing said latch to its said intermediate position, locking means having a first and a'second condition for respectively permitting and preventing movement of said latch from said intermediate position to said other extreme position, means operatively connected with said latch for controlling said locking means toits said first or said second position according as said latch occupies its said one extreme position or its said intermediate position, and means operatively connected with the throw lever for retaining said latch in its said other extreme position when said throw lever is out-oi said jaw.

7. In a lock device having a latch and a slida-bly mounted rod operatively connected with said latch for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions; means for biasing said sliding rod to its said intermediate position comprising two collarsslidably mounted on said rod, a shoulder on said rod and a stop for one of said collars, a member secured to said rod and a stop for the other of said collars, a spring disposed between said collars for biasing said collars against the respective shoulder and member, said stops being disposed to engage the respective collars when said collars are in biased engagement with said shoulder and member; a dog disposed in engagement with said other collar for confining it into engagement with its stopwhile freely permitting movement of said rod from said intermediate position to' one extreme position wherein said shoulder drives said one collar away from its stop against the bias of said spring and said member moves away from said other collar, means for locking said rod in its said one extreme position, and means controlled in part by said member when in engagement with said other collar for operating said dog out of engagement with said other collar, thereby to permit move-- ment of said rod from said intermediate position to the other of said extreme positions wherein said member drives said other collar away from its stop against the bias or said spring with said shoulder movin away from said one collar engaged by its stop.

8. In a lock device having a latch and a slidably mounted rod operatively connected with said latch for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions; means for biasing said sliding rod to its said intermediate position comprising two collars sl'idably mounted on said rod, a shoulder on said rod and a stop for one of said collars, a member secured to said rod and a stop for the other of said collars, a spring disposed between said collars for biasing said collars against the respective shoulder and member, said stops being disposed to engage the respective collars when said collars are in biased engagement with said shoulder and member; a dog disposed in engagement with said other coll'ar for confining it into engagement with its stop while freely permitting. movement of said rod from said intermediate position to one extreme position, means for locking said rod in its said one extreme position, means controlled in part by said member when in engagment with said other collar for operating said dog out of engagement with said other collar, thereby to permit movement of said rod from said intermediate position to the other of said. extreme positions, and means controlled jointly by said sliding rod and by said dog for indicating the condition of locking imposed by said lock device.

, 9. In a lock device having a jaw for receiving a hand throw lever, a rodslidably mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, 'a latch operatively connected with said slidably mounted rod and operable between corresponding intermediate and extreme positions, said latch in said intermediate and one extreme position projecting into said jaw for preventing movement of a throw lever past said latch, said latch in the other of its said extreme positions being withdr-awn'from said jaw; means for biasing said slidably mounted rod to its said intermediate position comprising two collars slidably mounted on said rod, a shoulder on said rod and a stop for one of said collars, a member secured to said rod and a stop for the other of said collars, a spring disposed between said collars for biasing said collars against the respective shoulder and member, said stops being disposed to engage the respective collars when said collars are in biased engagement with said shoulder and member; a dog disposed in en gagement with said other collar for confining it into engagement with its stop while freely permitting movement of said rod from said intermediate position to one extreme position, means for locking said rod in its said one extreme position, and means controlled in part by said member when in engagement with said other collar for operating said dog out of engagement with said other collar, thereby to permit movement of said rod from said intermediate position to the other of said extreme positions.

10. In a lock device, an operating member slidably mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, means "for biasing said operating member to its said intermediate position comprising two confronting surfaces provided on said member at spaced points, two sleeve collars slidably mounted on said member and a spring confined between said collars for biasing the collars respectively into engagement with said surfaces, stops disposed to engage said collars when in biased engagement with said surfaces, a locking member disposed to engage one of saidcollars for confining it against its stop, thereby freely permitting movement of said member iromsaid intermediate to one of said extreme positions while preventing movement of said member from said intermediate to the other of said extreme positions, means for operating said locking member out of confining engagement with its said one collar, means operatively connected with said operating member preventing operation of saidlocking member in said one extreme position of said locking member, and a manually operable latch operatively connected with said operating member for movement between correspondin intermediate and extreme positions, said latch in said intermediate and the corresponding one extreme position projecting into the jaw of said lock device for preventing movement of a throw lever past said latch, and said latch in the corresponding other extreme position being withdrawn from said jaw.

11. In a lock device, an operating member slidably mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, means for biasing said operating member to its said intermediate position comprising two confronting surfaces provided onsaid member at spaced points, two sleeve collars slidably mounted on said member and a spring confined between said collars for biasing the collars respectively into engagement with saidsurfaces, stops disposed to engage said collars when in biased engagement with said surfaces, a locking member disposed to engage one of said collars for confining it against its stop, thereby freely permitting movement of said member from said intermediate to one of said extreme positions while. preventing movement of said member from said intermediate to the other of said extreme positions, means for operating said locking member out of confining engagement with its said one collar, means operatively connected with said operating member preventing operation of said locking member in said one extreme position of said operating member, other means operatively connected with said operating member effective to establish operation of said locking member in said in termediate position of said operating member, and a manually operable latch operatively connected with said operating member for movement between corresponding intermediate and extreme positions, said latch in said intermediate and the corresponding one extreme position projecting into the jaw of said lock device for preventing movement of a throw lever past said latch, and said latch in the corresponding other extreme position being withdrawn from said jaw.

12. In a lock device, an operating member mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, means for biasing said operating member to its said intermediate position comprising two confronting surfaces provided on said member at spaced points, two sleeve collars slidably mounted on said member and a spring confined between said collars for biasing the collars respectively into engagement with said surfaces, stops disposed to engage said collars when in biased engagement with said surfaces, a locking member disposed to engage one of said collars for confining it against its stop, thereby freely permitting movement of said member from said intermediate to one of said extreme positions while preventing movement of said member from said intermediate to the other of said extreme positions, means for operating said locking member out of confining engagement with said one collar, means operatively connected with said operating member for confining said locking member in engagement'with its said collar in said one extreme position of said operating member, an indicator means,

means for controlling said indicator means by said operating member for causing said indicator means to display a first or a second indication according as said operating member occupies its said one extreme position or its said intermediate position, means for controlling said indicator means by said locking member for causing said indicator means to display its said second indication or a third indication according as said locking member is or is not in confining engagement with said one collar, and a manually operable latch operatively connected with said operating member for movement between correspondthrow lever past said latch, and said latch in the correspondingother extreme position being with drawn from said jaw.

13. In a lock device, an operating member slmably m??? t e m e betw n, a

intermediate and two extreme positions, means for biasing said operating member to its said intermediate position comprising two confronting surfaces provided on said member at spaced points, two sleeve collars slidably mounted on said member and a spring confined between said collars for biasing the collars respectively into engagement with said surfaces, stops disposed to engage said collars when in biased engagement with said surfaces, a locking member disposed to engage one of said collars for confining it against its stop, thereby freely permitting movement of said member from said intermediate to one of said extreme positions while preventing movement of said member from said intermediate to the other of said extreme positions, means for operating said locking member out of confining engagement with said one collar, contacts operable between a first and a second position, means operatively connecting said contacts with said operating member for operating said contacts respectively to said first or said second position according as said operating member occupies its said one extreme position or said intermediate position, means interlocking said contacts with said locking member for arresting said contacts in said second position if said locking member is out of engagement with said one collar when said operating member assumes its said one extreme position, and a manually operable latch operatively connected with said operating mem her for movement between corresponding intermediate and extreme positions, said latch in said intermediate and the corresponding one extreme position projecting into the jaw of said lock device for preventing movement of a throw lever past said latch, and said latch in the corresponding other extreme position being withdrawn from said jaw.

14. In a lock device, an operating member slidably mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, means for biasing said operating member to its said intermediate position comprising two confronting surfaces provided on said member at spaced points, two sleeve collars slidably mounted on said member and a spring confined between said collars for biasing the collars respectively into engagement with said surfaces, stops disposed to engage said collars when in biased engagement with said surfaces, a pivotally supported locking member rotatable between two positions in one of which said locking member is disposed in engagement with one of said collars for confining that collar into engagement with its said stop, means for rotating said locking member about its pivots to the other of said two positions wherein said locking member disengages from said one collar, a pivoted member provided with a de pressor spring for holding down said locking member against vibrational disturbances, means for'biasing said pivoted member to a first position wherein said depressor spring rides on said looking member in its said one position, and a cammed surface on said operating member cooperating with a mating cammed surface on said pivoted member effective when said operating member is in its intermediate position for rotating said pivoted member against its bias to a second position wherein said depressor spring is disposed clear of said locking member in its said other position and in the said one extreme position of said operating member permitting rotation of said pivoted member to a position intermediate its said first and second positions, said locking member rotatable between two positions in one of which locking member coacts with said operating member for preventing movement of said operating member from said in-' termediate position to one of said extremepositions, means for rotating said locking member about its pivots to the other of said two positions wherein said locking member permits movement or" said operating member from said intermediate position to said one extreme 'p'osition, a pivoted member provided with a depressor spring, means for biasing said pivoted: member to a first position wherein said depressor spring rides on said locking member in its said one position, a cam for said operating member, a cooperating cam follower for saidpivoted member, the surfaces of said. cam and follower effective when said operating member occupies its intermediate position to rotate said pivoted member against its bias to a second position in which said depressor spring is lifted clear of both of said one and said other positions of saidv locking member, and said surfaces effective when said operating member occupies its said other position for positioning said piv-- oted member in an intermediate position in: which said depressor spring rides on said look ing member in its said other position.

16.111 a lock device, an operating member slidably mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, means for biasing said operating member to said intermediate position, a locking 10g rotatable between two positions in one of which said dog coac'ts' with: said operating member for preventing move ment of that member from intermediate position to one extreme position while freely permitting movement of said member from saidintermediate position to the other of said two extreme positions, means for rotating said looking dog to the other of said two positions in which said dog frees said operating member for movement, a pivoted lever biased to a first position and carrying a cam follower, a cam on said operating member engaging said cam follower to rotate said pivoted lever to a second position in the intermediate and one extreme position of said operating member, a pivotall'y' supported indication member biased to a first position, means operated by said pivoted lever in its said first position for operating said indication member to a second position, and means operable by said locking dog in said other position for operating said indication member to a third position.

17. In a lock device, an operating member mounted for movement between an intermediate and two extreme positions, means for biasing said operating member to said intermediate position, locking means coacting with said operating member for preventing movement of that member from said intermediate position to one extreme position while freely permitting movement of said member from said intermediate position to the other of said two extreme positions, means for controlling said locking means to free 23 said operating member for movement between said interemdiate and said one extreme position, and indication means operatively connected with said operating member and said lockingmeans for displaying a first or a second indication according as said member occupies it said other extreme position or its said intermediate position, and a third indication when said locking means is controlled to free said member for movement to its said one extreme position.

18. In combination, an operating member slidably mounted for movement between two positions, means for biasing said member to one of said two positions, manually operable means for moving said member against its bias to the other of said two positions, an, operating element on said member moved into and out of an operating position according as said member occupies said one or said other position, a pivoted member biased to one position and operated against said bias to another position by said operating element in its said operating position, contacts operable between two positions, and a contact driving member operatively connecting said contacts with said pivoted member for operating said contacts to one or the other of said two positions according as said pivoted member occupies its said one or said other position.

19. In a lock device, an operating member slidably mounted for movement between two positions, means for biasing said member to one of said two positions, manually operable means for moving said member against its bias to the other of said two positions, a cam element on said member, a pivoted member, means for biasing said pivoted member to one position, a cam follower carried by said pivoted member and disposed for engagement by said cam element in said one position of said operating member for rotating said pivoted member against its bias to a second position, contact elements operable between two positions, a contact driving member provided with a pair of insulating sleeves for each contact element, said sleeves disposed on either side of the associated contact element, and a connection between said pivoted member and said contact drivin member for driving said contact members between said two positions.

- 20. In combination with a stretch of railway track including a track switch provided with a switch throwing mechanism operatively connected with a throw rod, a lock device for said throw rod comprising a jaw for receiving said throw rod, a latch operable between two extreme positions in one of which said latch projects into said jaw for preventin movement of said throw rod past said latch and in the other of said positions said latch is withdrawn from said jaw, a slidably mounted operating member operatively connected with said latch, means for 6 operating movable contact members, a contact operating member operatively connected with said movable contact members for driving such members into and out of engagement with the cooperating fixed contact members, a cam for said slidably mounted operating member, a cooperating cam follower operatively connected with said contact operating member, the surfaces or" said cam and follower formed so that in the said one extreme position of said latch said movable contact fingers are positively driven by said contact operating member out of engagement with the cooperating fixed contact fingers and in the said intermediate and said other extreme position of said latch said movable contact fingers are positively driven by said contact operating member firmly into engagement with the cooperating fixed contact members, and circuit connections extending between one rail of said track and said fixed contact fingers and between the other rail of said track and said movable contact fingers, whereby a low resistance path between the track rails is established when said fixed contact fingers are engaged by said movable contact fingers.

21. In a lock device, a latch movable into and out of a jaw disposed to receive a throw lever, a housing enclosing an operating member operatively connected with said latch for controlling movement of said latch, locking means in said housing coacting with said operating member for preventing movement or" that member to a position enabling movement of said latch out of the jaw, an electromagnet in said housing having an armature operatively connected with said locking means for operating said locking means out of engagement with said operating member when said armature is attracted by energization of said electromagnet, a key operated lock mechanism mounted in said housing accessible from the exterior, a spring member in said housing, and cooperating cams on said spring and lock mechanism for respectively driving said spring into and out of engagement with said armature according as a key is or is not rotated in said lock mechanism, said spring in engagement with said armature driving said armature to its attracted position for operating said locking means out of engagement with said operating member.

HERBERT L. BONE. GEORGE L. TEMPLE. JOHN W. LOGAN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 0 Number Name Date 1,362,205 Waldron et a1 Dec. 14, 1920 2,360,956 McGowan Oct. 24, 1944 2,387,115 Bone Oct. 16, 1945 

